TOWN OF KENT – Restrooms at the Putnam Veterans Memorial Park in Kent will soon have public bathrooms that are handicapped accessible thanks to the efforts of State Senator Peter Harckham.
The freshman lawmaker announced the $165,000 grant at the recreational facility accompanied by County Executive MaryEllen Odell, Veterans Affairs Director Karl Rohde, members of the county legislature, park personnel and veterans.
Harckham said shortly after being elected a year ago, the county executive contacted him and advised “how important veterans were to the fabric of Putnam County. She was emphatic about this. I latched onto this since my father was a combat veteran in World War II; my grandfather was a combat veteran in World War I.”
The senator said he began working with Rohde about issues related to Veterans’ Park, “a sacred place where people can come and reflect and pray and pay respect to the service of prior veterans while the upper park is an incredible asset to all residents and is home to the annual 4-H Fair, the Irish Feis, Native American Pow Wow and other events. A major issue was the accessibility of rest rooms. Now people with disabilities will have the same ability to enjoy this park.”
Harckham said the $165,000 award was the ninth grant he has obtained for Putnam County residents totaling $1.5 million since taking office.
Rohde thanked the senator for enhancing the park with the new restroom facilities that will assist the disabled. “Many of our disabled veterans don’t come to the park since there is no access for them to restrooms. ADA upgrades to the bathrooms are something we have been trying to acquire for a very long time.”
Odell also commended the senator for his efforts on behalf of all veterans. “Veterans who have served our country have always been a priority for Putnam County and for me personally. We owe the protection of our freedom to their selfless service–sometimes at the ultimate sacrifice.”
